Residuals of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, and hexachlorobenzene in serum, and relations with consumption of dietary components in rural residents in Japan

To estimate levels of organochlorine residuals in the Japanese population and the contribution of dietary factors to these levels, we determined serum levels of beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p'-DDD), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE) and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) in 41 volunteers (14 men and 27 women) in a rural area of Northern Japan. These organochlorine levels were measured using gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry. By a self-administered dietary history questionnaire, the usual dietary intake was estimated. Their median levels (range) were as follows: beta-HCH, 0.50 (0.05-1.50); HCB, 0.20 (0.02-0.70); and total DDT (p,p'-DDE + p,p'-DDT), 5.0 (0.9-31.0) ng/ml serum. Levels of p,p'-DDD were detected in only seven subjects (0.05-0.6 ng/ml serum). The beta-HCH levels were increased with rice and milk intakes, but the least squares means were not simply increased according to the quartile of the intakes. Concerning HCB, fish intake showed a borderline significant correlation (0.20, P = 0.052). In terms of total DDT, intakes of meat, fish, vegetable and milk showed a positive relationship, although none of them provided statistically significant results. No other statistically significant relation between any organochlorines and any food intakes examined was observed in this study. The present study suggests that organochlorine compounds are transported into the human body via foods in the Japanese population. Their effects on health should thus be investigated and monitored.     

Geographic variation of chlorinated pesticides,toxaphenes and PCBs in human milk from sub-arctic and arctic locations in Russia

The concentrations of HCB, alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH, 3 chlordanes (CHLs), p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, and 30 PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) were determined in 140 human milk samples from Kargopol (n=19), Severodvinsk (n=50), Arkhangelsk (n=51) and Naryan-Mar (n=20). Pooled samples were used for determination of three toxaphenes (chlorobornanes, CHBs). The concentrations of HCB, beta-HCH and p,p'-DDE in Russian human milk were 2, 10 and 3 times higher than corresponding levels in Norway, respectively, while concentrations of sum-PCBs and sum-TEQs (toxic equivalent quantities) of the mono-ortho substituted PCBs were in the same range as corresponding levels in Norway. The PCB-156 contributed most to the sum-TEQs. Highest mean concentrations of HCB (129 microg/kg milk fat) and sum-PCBs (458 microg/kg milk fat) were detected in Naryan-Mar, while highest mean concentrations of sum-HCHs (408 microg/kg milk fat), sum-CHLs (48 microg/kg milk fat), sum-DDTs (1392 microg/kg milk fat) and sum-toxaphenes (13 microg/kg milk fat) were detected in Arkhangelsk. An eastward geographic trend of increasing ratios of alpha/beta-HCH, gamma/beta-HCH, p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE and PCB-180/28 was observed. In all areas the levels of sum-HCHs decreased with parity (number of children born). Considerable variation in levels of the analysed organochlorines (OCs) was found in all the studied areas. Breast milk from mothers nursing their second or third child (multiparas) in Naryan-Mar showed a significant different PCB profile compared to mothers giving birth to their first child (primiparas) from the same area and to primi- and multiparas in the other areas. Both p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDT showed a significant, but weak, negative correlation with the infants birth weight.     

Organochlorine levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood plasma in Arctic Canada

A baseline for exposure to organochlorine and metal contaminants has been established for mothers and newborns in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut areas of Arctic Canada. Maternal and umbilical cord blood plasma organochlorine levels are described for Inuit, Dene, Métis, Caucasian and Other non-Aboriginal participants. Overall, 523 women volunteered to participate by giving their written informed consent between May 1994 and June 1999, resulting in the collection of 386 maternal blood samples, 407 cord blood samples and 351 maternal/cord pairs. Nearly half of all the participants regularly smoked cigarettes, including 77% of the Inuit participants. Maternal and cord results are presented for PCBs (as Aroclor 1260 and 14 congeners) and organochlorine pesticides, including p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), cis and trans nonachlor, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, mirex, dieldrin and toxaphene. Maternal PCB levels (as Aroclor 1260) averaged 4.42 (+/-9.03) microg/l in Inuit, which was 3.3 times higher than those found in Dene/Métis, and 3.4 times higher than levels in Caucasians. Mean DDE levels were 2.8 times higher in the Other non-Aboriginal group (Chinese, Filipino, East Indian and multiple ethnicity) than in the Inuit group, at 3.99 microg/l and 1.42 microg/l, respectively. Cord blood PCB levels (as Aroclor 1260) averaged 1.16 (+/-2.42) microg/l for Inuit participants, which was 3.3-4 fold higher than the other ethnic groups. PCBs, p,p'-DDE and hexachlorobenzene were detected in all maternal samples, and p,p'-DDE was detected in all cord samples. Regression coefficients for maternal/cord pairs are presented for selected organochlorines. Other results from this study, including maternal and cord metals data, will be presented elsewhere.     

Distribution of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in umbilical cord and maternal serum

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides, such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) are compounds widespread in the environment, highly lipophilic, and accumulate in biological systems. The newborn are exposed to these organochlorine compounds across the placenta and through breastfeeding. This study reports the levels of selected PCB congeners, p,p'-DDE and HCB in maternal blood and cord blood samples collected at delivery between November and December 1999 from 44 women living in the urban area of Antwerp, Belgium. Results show that all newborns contained detectable levels of PCBs, p,p'-DDE and HCB. The median concentration of PCBs was 450 pg/ml and ranged between 120 and 1580 pg/ml, while the median concentrations of HCB and p,p'-DDE were 70 and 490 pg/ml, respectively. Concentrations of PCBs and p,p'-DDE in cord blood (ng/ml) were positively associated with concentrations in maternal blood (ng/ml) (coefficients=0.74 and 0.92, P<0.05). We conclude that all investigated organochlorine compounds have an efficient transplacental transfer.     

Geographical distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Norwegian and Russian Arctic

Geographical variation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was studied in blood samples from 90 adult female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Kara Sea, East-Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea. In all regions, oxychlordane was the dominant OCP. Regional differences in mean levels of HCB, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH and p,p'-DDE were found. The highest levels of oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor and DDE were found in polar bears from Franz Josef Land and Kara Sea. HCB level was lowest in polar bears from Svalbard. Polar bears from Chukchi Sea had the highest level of alpha- and beta-HCH. The lowest alpha-HCH concentration was found in bears from Kara Sea. In all the bears, summation operator HCHs was dominated by beta-HCH. The geographical variation in OCP levels and pattern may suggest regional differences in pollution sources and different feeding habits in the different regions. Polar bears from the Western Russian Arctic were exposed to higher levels of chlordanes and p,p'-DDE than polar bears from locations westwards and eastwards from this region. This may imply the presence of a significant pollution source in the Russian Arctic area. The study suggests that the western Russian Arctic is the most contaminated region of the Arctic and warrants further research.     

Exposure of mother-child and postpartum woman-infant pairs to DDT and its metabolites in Tianjin, China

1,1,1-trichloro-2,2'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) exhibits its long persistence in the environment, unusual bioaccumulation, effects on wildlife, and the possibility of long-term adverse effects on human health, especially reproductive toxicity. Despite the prohibition of most persistent organochlorine pesticides in China, the presence of organochlorine residue, including DDT, has been widely indicated in environmental substance. However, scarce information is available about accumulative levels of DDT in human tissues in China. To evaluate levels of DDT and its potential effects on women and children's health in a Chinese pesticide-exposed area, we recruited 50 pairs of mother-child and 50 postpartum women, and determined the levels of total DDT and its four main metabolites (p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT) in venous blood, breast milk and umbilical blood cord by gas chromatography. Accordingly, data on reproductive outcomes of mothers and postpartum women and healthy status of children and infants were gathered through a questionnaire and medical examinations. Furthermore, we also assayed the DDT levels of some environmental samples (soil, food, milk, et al.). The levels of DDT in children's blood were higher than that in the women's. As compared to breast milk, the umbilical blood cord and the ventral fat individually demonstrated a significantly lower and higher level of DDT in the postpartum women. DDT was lower in milk and crucian carp than in the soil near the chemical plant. p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were the main metabolites of DDT. Our findings suggested the cumulative effect of DDT in human body in Tianjin, China.     

Persistent organic pollutants in edible marine species from the Gulf of Naples, Southern Italy

Edible tissues from 10 marine species, collected from the Gulf of Naples in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy) between February and July 2003, were analysed for the presence of organochlorine pesticides hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and DDTs (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD), and 20 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The PCB levels (calculated as the sum of all the determined congeners) were found to be the highest (from 56.8 to 47909.5 ng/g on lipid basis), followed by the DDTs (sum of p,p'-DDT and its metabolites; 相似文献   

Circumpolar maternal blood contaminant survey, 1994-1997 organochlorine compounds

During the past 20 years a number of studies have found neurological and immunological effects in the developing fetus and infants exposed to background or only slightly elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). To address concerns arising from possible increased human exposure in the Arctic and possible effects of POPs, all circumpolar countries agreed in 1994 to monitoring of specific human tissues for contaminants in the Arctic under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP). Mothers in eight circumpolar countries contributed blood samples that were analysed at a single laboratory for 14 PCB congeners (IUPAC No. 28, 52, 99, 105, 118, 128, 138, 153, 156, 170, 180, 183, 187) and 13 organochlorine pesticides (aldrin, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH), dichlordiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), diphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), dieldrin, heptachlorepoxide, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mirex, and the chlordane derivatives alpha-chlordane, gamma-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor). Inuit mothers from Greenland and Canada have significantly higher levels of oxychlordane, transnonachlor and mirex than mothers from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Russia. Inuit mothers from Greenland also have significantly higher levels of these contaminants than Inuit mothers from Canada and Alaska. These differences among Inuit groups may represent regional dietary preferences or different contaminant deposition patterns across the Arctic. Levels of PCBs are also elevated among some arctic populations due to their consumption of marine mammals and are in the range where subtle effects on learning and the immune system have been reported. The Russian mothers who consume mainly food imported from southern Russia have elevated levels of DDT, DDE, beta-HCH and a higher proportion of lower chlorinated PCB congeners. This study has allowed an assessment of the variation of contaminants such as PCBs and various organochlorine pesticides (DDT, chlordane, etc.) in human populations around the circumpolar north.     

Persistent organic pollutants in plasma of delivering women from Arkhangelsk

The high levels of persistent organic pollutants have caused concern about human health, especially the health of the foetus and newborn child. This has especially been the case for Greenlandic and Canadian Inuits, where elevated levels of PCB and p,p'-DDE have been reported. In recent studies from arctic Russia the levels of beta-HCH and the DDT-group have been reported to be high, whereas the levels of PCB are low. However, the information from Northern Russia is, so far, incomplete. In this study, 27 delivering women from the city of Arkhangelsk, Russia, participated. They completed a questionnaire before delivery and plasma samples were collected after delivery. The analytical method developed to support this study involved gel permeation chromatography and silica gel purification, in addition to a traditional GC-MS method, and thus include acid labile compounds. The arithmetic mean levels of p,p'-DDE, beta-HCH and p,p'-DDT were 5.42, 3.59 and 1.17 microg/l, respectively. Toxaphene 26 and 50 were the only toxaphenes above the limit of detection, with arithmetic mean levels of 0.05 and 0.09 microg/l, respectively. Among the PCB congeners, PCB 138/163 was the most abundant with an arithmetic mean of 0.53 microg/l. The elevated levels of beta-HCH and p,p'-DDT as well as a low DDE/DDT ratio is a strong indication of fresh and maybe local sources in this area.     

Inadvertent exposure to organochlorine pesticides DDT and derivatives in people from the Canary Islands (Spain)

In 1998, one of the largest determinations of organochlorine pesticides in a representative sample of a Spanish population (682 serum samples from the Canary Islands) was made in the context of the "Canary Islands Nutrition Survey" (ENCA). In the Canary Islands, extensive farming areas have been developed in these last decades, with greenhouses dedicated to intensive cultivation using DDT in huge amounts. In Spain, similarly to other European countries, DDT was banned in the late 1970s. The pesticide residues in human serum are indicative of past and present exposure to them. Our objective is to point out the differences of pesticide contamination between islands; and together with this, if a connection could be established with gender, age, or habitat of subjects. Concentration of selected persistent organochlorine pollutants (p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and o,p'-DDD) was measured with gas chromatography-electron capture detector. Almost all of the samples (99.3%) presented detectable levels of some DDT-derivatives, being p,p'-DDE the most frequently detected organochlorine. The median concentration of total DDT body burden, expressed in ng/g fat, present in the Canary Islands (370 ng/g fat) was similar to that found in other European countries, although it was noteworthy that a fourth of the population showed a total DDT body burden higher than 715 ng/g. Interestingly, statistical significant differences were found in serum levels of organochlorine pesticides between islands, being these levels higher in people from Tenerife and Gran Canaria (415 and 612 ng/g fat, respectively), the islands that present both highest population and highest surface devoted to intensive agriculture. As expected, serum levels of both total DDT body burden and p,p'-DDE increased with age. Statistically significant differences were also found in relation to gender, women showing higher levels of these organochlorine pesticides than men. One of the most relevant findings of this work is the presence of a very high DDT/DDE ratio in people from the Canary Islands, thus indicating a chronic exposure to DDT that persists nowadays. DDT and its derivatives are considered as xenoestrogens, and they have been linked to breast cancer. Having into account that the Canary Islands present high incidence and mortality for breast cancer, our results point to the possibility that these environmental contaminants may be playing a determining role that must be investigated in detail. The high levels of DDT and its derivatives in serum from people living in this Archipelago should be considered a matter of public health concern.     

Organochlorinated pesticide multiresidues in surface sediments from Beijing Guanting reservoir

For the analysis of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments and water, a multiresidue analysis method based on gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD) was developed. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Oasis HLB cartridges was also applied in sample extraction. Mean recoveries were satisfactory with 72-103% and 71-103% for water and sediment, respectively. Twenty-one OCPs were analyzed in water and surface sediment samples from Beijing Guanting reservoir. Total concentrations of 21 OCPs were 16.7-791 ng/l (mean 234 ng/l), 275-1,600 ng/l (mean 644 ng/l), 5250-33,400 ng/kg (mean 13,000 ng/kg) in surface water, pore water and sediment (dry weight), respectively. P, p'-DDE, delta-HCH, aldrin, gamma-HCH and beta-HCH are the most abundant compounds in water while p, p'-DDE, o, p'-DDT, beta-HCH, delta-HCH, p, p'-DDT and aldrin accounted for about 85% of total 21 OCPs in sediment in Beijing Guanting reservoir. Concentrations of OCPs were high both in water and sediment samples in Beijing Guanting reservoir for municipal water supply. The data provides information on the levels and sources of OCPs in Guanting reservoir. The study indicated that measures should be taken to decrease OCPs residues in order to improve the quality of municipal water supply in Beijing.     

Serum concentrations of organochlorines in men: a search for markers of exposure

Analysis of single marker substances in serum could provide cost-effective assessment of human exposure to complex mixtures of organochlorines. We studied the serum concentrations of 10 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 11 chlorinated pesticides and some of their metabolites in samples collected from 120 Swedish men (mean age 63 years, range 40-74 years) from the general Swedish population. The median concentrations of individual PCB congeners increased in the order PCB 52 < PCB 101 < or = PCB28 < PCB 105 < PCB 167 < PCB 156 < PCB 118 < PCB 138 < PCB 180 < PCB 153. The concentrations of o,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH were in most cases below the quantification limit (2-4 ng/g lipid). Among the other chlorinated pesticides the median concentration increased in the order oxychlordane (12 ng/g lipid) < p,p'-DDT < trans-nonachlor < beta-HCH < HCB < p,p'-DDE (586 ng/g lipid). The observed concentrations of PCB and chlorinated pesticides were in the same range as those found in similar groups of men from Sweden and Norway, but lower than those found in male populations with recent occupational exposure or high environmental exposure. Strong relationships were found between the concentrations of single mono- and di-ortho PCB congeners and groups of PCB congeners in serum. In our group of men PCB 153 was a good marker substance for the concentration of sigma PCB and sigma di-ortho PCB concentrations in serum. Moreover, among the mono-ortho PCB congeners analyzed, PCB 156 could be used as a marker for the sigma mono-ortho PCB TEQ concentrations in serum in the studied group. No useful marker substances were found among DDT compounds and other chlorinated pesticides and metabolites, except for trans-nonachlor which predicted the concentration of the metabolite oxychlordane fairly well.     

Plasma levels of DDT and their association with reproductive hormones in adult men from northern Thailand

Historically, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was used in northern Thailand for malaria control and farming purposes. Several studies have investigated its effects on end points of adverse reproductive health outcomes. However, the few previous studies investigated hormonal effects in men and available data are inconclusive. The authors aimed to explore the main hypothesis that plasma DDT levels in adult men were associated with reproductive hormone levels. A cross-sectional study was performed of 97 adult men living in a highland village named Mae Sa Mai, 35 km north of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Venous blood samples were collected for measuring plasma levels of DDT and its metabolites and reproductive hormones, including 17beta-estradiol (E2), testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p'-DDE) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT) were detected in all plasma samples. p,p'-DDE had the highest level with a median of 4057.7 ng/g lipids and a relatively higher level compared with most other studies. Plasma p,p'-DDT levels were positively associated with years of residence (beta+SE=0.472+0.208, P=0.028) and years of DDT usage for farming (beta+SE=0.177+0.084, P=0.04). The remarkable findings were the negative association of plasma E2 levels with plasma p,p'-DDE levels (beta+SE=-7.093+2.899, P=0.016) and the positive association with plasma 1,1-dichloro-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-chlorophynyl)ethylene (o,p'-DDE) levels (beta+SE=16.381+5.596, P=0.008) after adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI). However, these associations were rather weak. Our results suggest that these associations may reflect their different mechanisms of hormonal activities and they would be warrant further detail investigations.     

PCB and chlorinated pesticide concentrations in swine and bovine adipose tissue in Sweden 1991-1997: spatial and temporal trends

Results from the Swedish control programme regarding organochlorines in food were used to determine time trends of organochlorine concentrations in adipose tissues from swine (4-8 months old) and bovines (non-dairy, 12-36 months) slaughtered between 1991 and 1997. Moreover, possible regional differences in concentrations were studied, as well as differences in concentrations depending on sex and age of the slaughtered animals. Multiple linear regression indicated that the concentrations of PCB, p,p'-DDE, HCB and alpha-HCH decreased by 4-17% per year, suggesting that the decline in organochlorine concentrations in the Swedish environment and biota reported during the 1970s-1990s also has occurred in meat-producing animals during the 1990s. The concentrations of PCB, DDE and HCB in bovines and PCB and DDE in swine were 1.4-3.8-fold higher in the southern parts of Sweden than in the northern parts of the country, indicating a regional difference in exposure of the animals. The organochlorine concentrations were higher in bovines than in swine, and declined faster in swine than in bovines. Moreover, the concentrations of CB 153 and p,p'-DDE were similar in bovines, but in swine the average concentrations of the two compounds differed two-fold. Apart from possible species differences in metabolism of organochlorines, this may be due to differences in the age at slaughter between swine and bovines, and differences in husbandry of the animals. In the latter case, swine are generally kept inside during their whole life span, whereas bovines are kept outside grazing during the summer period. Finally, a sex-dependent difference in concentrations was indicated in swine, but not in bovines. Our study shows that a lot of information can be 'extracted' from control program results.     

Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human umbilical cord serum, maternal serum and milk from Wielkopolska region, Poland

The levels of organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs): p,p'-DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), chlordanes and their metabolites, and 18 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were measured in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and human milk collected from 22 mothers living in the Wielkopolska region, Poland. Additionally, 11 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners were measured in the human milk samples. p,p'-DDT and its major metabolite, p,p'-DDE, together with HCB, were found in all milk and serum samples. Median concentrations of p,p'-DDE in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and milk were 343, 329 and 634ng/g lipid weight (lw). PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 were the major congeners measured in all serum samples, while CB 170 was detected in 74% and 100% of umbilical cord and maternal serum, respectively. Except for CBs 74, 101 and 105, which had a detection frequency of 77%, 23% and 82%, respectively, all investigated PCB congeners were measured in all human milk samples. The median concentrations of sum PCBs in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and milk were 79, 60 and 133 ng/g lw, respectively. A good correlation (Spearman R(S)>0.75, p<0.001) was found for major PCBs, p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, between maternal and umbilical cord serum, while the correlation was weaker between milk and serum. The median of sum PBDEs in human milk was 2.0 ng/g lw (range 0.8 to 8.4), with BDE 47 being always the most abundant PBDE congener and, together with BDE 153, being present in all samples. In general, results found in the investigated group are at the low end of the concentration range measured in Europe.     

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in European roe deer Capreolus capreolus resident in a protected area in Northern Italy

In 2001, samples of liver (n = 38) and perirenal fat (n = 25) (only in males) were taken from European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populating a hilly, wooded protected area in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. Samples were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocycloexane alpha-, beta- and gamma-isomers (alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH), alpha-endosulfan, aldrin, dieldrin and endrin, and the seven PCB 'indicator' congeners IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180, in order to investigate the current state of contamination of the area and to assess the possible toxicological risks for the monitored species. p,p'-DDE was detected in 95% of the liver and perirenal fat samples (n = 63), at concentrations ranging from < dl to 629.3 ng/g lipid weight, which were much higher than those found for HCB and gamma-HCH. The concentrations of the other measured organochlorine pesticides and metabolites were below the detection limit in all the samples. PCBs were found in 97% of the liver and perirenal fat samples, at total levels ranging between < dl to 414.5 ng/g lipid weight. The hepta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners 180, 153 and 138 were predominant and comprised more than 70% of the total seven PCBs in both the liver and perirenal fat samples. In the male roe deer, significantly higher concentrations of HCB, p,p'-DDE and PCBs were found in the liver than in the perirenal fat (P < 0.001). Hepatic levels of p,p'-DDE and PCBs were significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). No significant differences in organochlorine concentrations were observed between juvenile and adult males in either tissue sample (P > 0.05). Females were not statistically tested because they were all adults. The levels of organochlorine contaminants were well below those associated with adverse reproductive effects and lethality in mammals.     

Partitioning and levels of neutral organochlorine compounds in human serum, blood cells, and adipose and liver tissue

Concentrations of neutral organochlorine compounds (OCs) in blood compartments and adipose tissue were determined in three groups of subjects. In 12 healthy volunteers a positive correlation was found between DDT residue levels in paired serum/adipose tissue samples when the concentrations were calculated on a fat-weight basis (r = 0.74, p less than 0.05); positive correlations were also found for PCB and HCB when the calculations were based on a wet-weight basis (r = 0.68, p less than 0.01; r = 0.69, p less than 0.01). For lindane the correlation coefficient for paired serum/adipose tissue samples was -0.94 (p less than 0.01). The association between adipose tissue and blood cells was weaker than that obtained for serum. These readily obtainable samples are adequate for estimating, or monitoring, the total burden of neutral organochlorines in adipose tissue, especially in cases of low chronic exposure, such as those found in epidemiological studies. In paired liver-adipose tissue samples from 23 autopsy cases, no correlation was found either on a wet- or fat-weight basis. In 131 adults resident in southern and eastern Finland the concentration medians for serum were 1.8, 2.0 and 0.3 ng g-1 wet wt for DDT compounds. PCB and HCB, respectively. This study indicates that monitoring of fat/serum ratios may provide, with tissue concentrations, more information about human exposure to OCs.     

Prenatal exposures to persistent organic pollutants as measured in cord blood and meconium from three localities of Zhejiang, China

Prenatal exposures to persistent organic pollutants were assessed using the levels of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) measured in cord blood and meconium samples from Luqiao and two other localities of the Zhejiang province in China. Luqiao is a town with the largest site for disassembly of PCB-containing obsolete transformers and electrical waste in China. The other two localities Pingqiao (100 km NW of Luqiao) and Lin'an (500 km NW of Luqiao) are towns without known electronic or electrical waste sites. A total of 23 PCB congeners (including 12 dioxin-like) and 6 OCPs were measured using the traditional GC-muECD technique. Micro-EROD bioassay was additionally used to measure TCDD-based TEQ levels of the 12 dioxin-like PCBs. Significant correlations were found between the TEQs measured by the two methods, supporting the application of micro-EROD as a practical tool for complementing the chemical analysis. The data showed that beta-HCH, p,p'-DDE, and 6 PCB congeners (101, 138, 153, 180, 183, and 187) were the predominant pollutants, with PCB138 being the best indicator (predictor) for total PCB levels. Cord blood and meconium from Luqiao have higher levels of PCBs than those from the other two localities, suggesting that a disassembly site for electronic and electric waste would provide an environment for greater exposure to these chemicals. The cord blood or meconium levels of beta-HCH, though likewise considerably high, were comparable in the three localities. Similar findings were observed for p,p'-DDE. Pollution by these OCPs might have come from past use of agricultural pesticides in the three localities.     

Trace metals and organochlorines in the bamboo shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum from the southern waters of Hong Kong, China

The bamboo shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum is an abundant benthic species along the shallow continental shelf of Southeast Asia. It is commonly taken by fishermen in China, India, Taiwan and Thailand for human consumption. This study measured trace metal and organochlorine concentrations in C. plagiosum collected from the southern waters of Hong Kong, China. Metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were measured in three different tissues: dorsal muscle, spleen and liver. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated pesticides in the dorsal muscle were identified and quantified using gas chromatography. Metal concentrations varied among the three different tissues, with liver having higher levels of Ag and Cd, and spleen possessing higher levels of Cu and Mn. Both Ni and Pb in all tissues were below the detection limit. Tissue concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn generally decreased with increasing body weight whilst no significant concentration-size relationship was found for other metals. In muscle tissues, total PCBs ranged from 1.056-4.771 ng/g (wet wt.) with a median of 1.801 ng/g, while total DDTs ranged from 0.602-23.55 ng/g with a median of 1.109 ng/g, in which p,p'-DDE was the predominant metabolite. Levels of total hexachlorohexanes and cyclodienes were low. The pesticide p,p'-DDT was the only compound found to be positively correlated with body weight, indicating temporal bioaccumulation of this compound. Zn concentrations in the muscle of C. plagiosum were comparatively higher than recorded in other shark species, however, concentrations of other metals and organochlorines were relatively low. C. plagiosum feeds primarily on polychaetes, shrimps and small fishes, and thus is unlikely to contain levels of contaminants of human health concern.     

Trace elements, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.)

Trace elements, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticide levels were determined in tissues collected from stranded and bycaught common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) from New Zealand waters between 1999 and 2005. The concentrations of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and silver (Ag) were determined in blubber, liver and kidney tissue. PCBs (45 congeners) and a range of OC pesticides including dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites DDE and DDD were determined in blubber samples. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples and concentrations of Co, Sn and Pb were generally low. Concentrations of Hg ranged from 0.17 to 110 mg/kg wet weight. Organochlorine pesticides dieldrin, HCB, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were present at the highest concentrations. Sum DDT concentrations in the blubber ranged from 17 to 337 and 654 to 4430 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. Similarly, Sigma45CB concentrations ranged from 49 to 386 and 268 to 1634 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. The mean transmission of SigmaDDTs and ICES7CBs between a genetically determined mother-offspring pair was calculated at 46% and 42%, respectively. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides determined in the present study are within similar range to those reported for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhyncus hectori) from inshore New Zealand waters.